Former Jamaican captain Nehemiah Perry spoke about the West Indies’ Ocean Thomas in an interview with the radio program Mason and Guest. He said that playing more red-ball matches would help in the development of this talented fast bowler.
Thomas caught the attention of the region and the world in 2017 when he bowled at a good pace in the Caribbean Premier League. He has taken 48 wickets in 40 international matches and is currently out of the national squad as the team did not get what was expected of him.
Thomas’ weight has increased by several pounds and his inability to reach the pace he saw earlier was a major factor in his withdrawal from the squad. Former captain Perry believes Thomas was a deadly player when he was on the right.
“When I saw O’Shane and he was bowling real quick, yes there were some inconsistencies in his delivery but when he gets right he can be very lethal.”
Perry said on the show that he is currently working with colleagues in Jamaica and the Caribbean to get Thomas to work with the Red Ball.
“I said to my colleagues in the Caribbean and Jamaica, we need to play O’Shane Thomas in four-day cricket. He needs to play the long version of the game, he needs to learn how to bowl. Learn the art of bowling.”
But former Jamaican skipper Perry believes part of the problem is that Thomas initially introduced himself in the shortest format
“If you blood someone in T20 cricket where all they have to do is bowl short, not sure were you going to land the delivery. If you play four-day cricket and you are bowling 20 overs a day you are going to learn the art of bowling and bowling more consistently.”
He added.
“Your body will be stronger and you will have a better work ethic.”
I do think that this is a really good assessment of Oshane Thomas and I do agree that he should play the longer format of the game to learn the art of bowling and once he get going he can be as deadly as any West Indies fast bowlers in the past. One thing for sure he has the potential he just need to play some red ball cricket and get his rhythm in that format of the game.
This young man need to focus on his fitness.
He got the talent.
Self belief and dedication.
No man never dream himself a character, you’ve got to hammer and chiesel yourself one.